OK I never had one but I got to check one out at the track. I almost thought it was a NTC3. The electric starter gave it up. I don't know how well the car was made and the quality but it was pretty nice. The LD3 is almost an exact clone of the NTC3. It ran against my NTC3 with an MT12.. it never past me . I am sure the AE 12 would have been a great match against it.
Depending on the driver, the LD3 with a very good engine can hold it's own against the top racing cars. And it has plenty of room to work on. Overall it's a decent race car.
Yeah its pretty much the same ride with a few more amenities. I do like the electric start but I prefer the starter box. I myself like the NTC3 as I am a AE Fan. RC10 GT, MGT and prior to them I had the championship edition RC10. Anyways I think I would get the LD3 over a HPI street car. IMO of course.